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Home > UCSF News Center > UCSF Class of 2016 Reflects on Achievements, Challenges as They Turn to Future

UCSF Class of 2016 Reflects on Achievements, Challenges as They Turn to Future

School of Pharmacy Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo places a doctoral hood over the head of Jackline Githinji, signifying her completion of the PharmD program, during the school's commencement on May 5 at Davies Symphony Hall. Photo by Susan Merrell

Kenneth McQuaid, (left) MD, presents this year’s Gold-Headed Cane Award to Elizabeth McNiven, MD. The cane was bequeathed by David L. Coleman, MD. The cane is presented annually to a graduating senior who has been selected by classmates and the faculty as best exemplifying the qualities of a "true physician." Photo by Elisabeth Fall

Laura McIlvoy receives a lei from her mother after receiving her Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree at the Graduate Division commencement ceremony in the Nourse Theater in San Francisco on May 19. Photo by Susan Merrell

Noel Kelsch, RDH, RDHAP, dons glasses that say "Finally" for the Graduate Division commencement ceremony. Kelsch is 58 years old and the oldest student at UCSF to receive a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene. Photo by Susan Merrell

School of Nursing graduates gather for photo after their commencement ceremony. Photo by Elisabeth Fall

May 06, 2016

The graduating class of 2016 at UC San Francisco worked hard to get to this point in their careers, but they also shared moments of humor, experienced life-changing moments and built new friendships.

This year’s graduating class had much to reflect on when it came to the lessons learned and achievements made during their years here. One overarching message from many of the graduates is that they couldn't have accomplished their goals without the support of their UCSF family, including professors, mentors and other students.

Before the students head on to new endeavors and careers, we spoke to several of them about their time at UCSF:

What do you think you will look back and remember about UCSF in 10 years?

“The people. Passionate, compassionate, inspirational, dependable — the list goes on. The people were the main reason why I decided to become a UCSF student, and the people are still the main reason why I’m proud to be a UCSF graduate.”

Adele Feng
School of Pharmacy

“I’ve spent the past year surrounded by an extraordinarily diverse group of people. Different reasons brought them here, and different contexts and backgrounds resulted in diverse personalities with a unique mix of strengths and weaknesses. In 10 years, I will remember the people that I got the chance to know and their remarkable and inspiring stories.”

Talita D’Aguiar Rosa
Global Health Sciences

“When I started at UCSF, I was single and still living at home. By the end of my four years, I had met my wife, gotten married and had a beautiful daughter. Looking back, I’m grateful for the way UCSF has fostered personal development alongside an enriching academic journey. Being able to watch my daughter as I receive my diploma is a privilege I will always cherish.”

Brenden Petersen
Graduate Division (Bioengineering)

Outside of the classroom, what has been the biggest lesson you learned here?

“It’s important to think bigger than yourself. Being competitive and achieving your goals is good, but it’s more important to ask yourself, ‘How can I help the person in front of me today?’”

Johnny Nobles
School of Dentistry

“I have learned that if I am very passionate about doing something that at first appears unfeasible, I have to look for others who are either just as passionate about the idea or crazy enough to come along for the ride. In my time at UCSF I had a few ‘out of the box’ ideas that would not have come to fruition without the unwavering support of partners, mentors and ‘cheerleaders’ who I found (or found me) along the way.”

Carolina Zubiri
Physical Therapy

“Sometimes to provide the best treatment for our patients we have to advocate for them. For example, I had one patient with cryptococcus meningitis threatening to leave the hospital against medical advice, because she needed to complete her immigration paperwork for asylum. After the social worker and I filed her immigration paperwork from the hospital, she thanked us and was agreeable to continuing treatment.”

Cleavon Gilman
School of Medicine

What was the biggest challenge you overcame while at UCSF?

“Overcoming my own insecurities and allowing myself to internalize that I truly belong at UCSF has been the most challenging experience. I am from an immigrant family, English is my second language and I am the first in my family to not only graduate from college but to pursue a master’s degree.”